Why Multifactor Authentication is Critical to Security Technology Development

April 26, 2019

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Security technology is developing in new and exciting ways, much of which is thanks to the concept of multifactor authentication.

hen it comes to security technology, the engineers, programmers, and designers behind it all are constantly looking for ways to up the ante. Whether this means improving the ease of use for end-users or just finding new ways to make their tech more secure, there’s always room for improvement. One principle many involved in the field are now focused on is multifactor authentication—wherein more than one form of authentication must be presented to access a system, like typing in a password but also having to answer a security question for your bank’s website. Multifactor authentication is an idea that can be widely applied across a number of security technology disciplines, so let’s look at the how and the why behind it all.

Why Use Multifactor Authentication?

With any form of authentication, there’s a way to fake it. From biometrics to key cards, just about everything on the market is susceptible to being copied or faked. That doesn’t mean these tools are useless or that they’re necessarily easy to bypass, but it does mean that we must operate on the assumption that someone out there is going to try their hardest. Instead of relying on a single authentication tool, multifactor authentication is all about diversifying methods of authentication so that you aren’t reliant on any single method. The more redundant a system is, the less likely it is that someone will be able to crack the code and access something they shouldn’t.

What Are Some Applications?

Now that we have a basic definition, it’s likely that you’ve already encountered multifactor authentication before. Your workplace may require you to swipe an access card at one door and then enter a key code at the next. Or, as mentioned above, you may have experienced multiple forms of authentication being required to access things like online banking or other financial-related web services. However, when developing security technology, this idea has become more widespread, both in terms of cybersecurity as well as physical security. Here at Gatekeeper, multifactor authentication is something we take seriously—which is why our entire suite of vehicle inspection technologies are designed to work together in a safe, secure harmony.

Vehicle Inspection Security With Gatekeeper

Gatekeeper Security’s suite of intelligent optical technologies provides security personnel with the tool to detect today’s threats. Our systems help those in the energy, transportation, commercial, and government sectors protect their people and their valuables by detecting threats in time to take action. From automatic under vehicle inspection systems, automatic license plate reader systems, to on the move automatic vehicle occupant identifier, we offer full 360-degree vehicle scanning to ensure any threat is found. Throughout 30 countries around the globe, Gatekeeper Security’s technology is trusted to help protect critical infrastructure. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn for updates about our technology and company.